Started By
Message
Grading Stec's Mizzou career
Posted on 12/19/14 at 12:08 pm
Posted on 12/19/14 at 12:08 pm
The Marine has been a trooper(pun intended) for Mizzou and Pinkel and can't be faulted for his unflagging, blue collar, workman like attitude at his task. He's always turned in solid, if often under talented, Linebacker classes, that typically perform well enough and occasionally over perform at an unheralded position in the Mizzou defense.
For every Spoon, Gooden or Gachkar there have been at least a couple of Brock Christophers, Jeff Lamberts, Van Alexanders, Andrew Wilsons and Will Ebeners. Guys who might just miss on the talent to play in the NFL, yet are valuable components to a Mizzou D that has occasionally been good but at least can typically keep the Tigers "in the game".
As a position coach, Stec has turned in a very "solid B" career, maybe not good enough to have the blue blood programs beating a path to his door with gold stenciled offers, but a guy who's gotten the job done consistently at an acceptable level. In the college football coaching world that's really not bad at all.
At the DC level, Stec has been slightly less consistent, with some on the job learning/growing pains. While his D unit usually plays with intensity, it's still looked confused or down right lost from time to time. Granted part of the overall look and feel of the D is a product of what Gary Pinkel wants. It's hard to say exactly what level of autonomy he allows his coordinators, but it's a fairly safe bet the soft zones and massive cushions that separate the second level from the box are what Pinkel deems "his defensive plan". Assuming Stec must work within the limits of soft cover 2-3, he really hasn't done too badly at all. There is only so much you can do when you allow the offense that much room to work with over the middle, and without a cadre of All American LB's and Safetys you will give up the dump offs and screens we are all used to seeing Mizzou get burned with.
Probably the most disappointing aspect of Stec's D is the inability of his blitz packages to be effective, again lack of talent is a factor and there is some raw luck to calling it at the right time as well. His use of the D-line to over all be a disruption and strength has been enough though, even if that's an area that would be hard to screw up. Letting the front 4 eat, if a bit simplistic, is still a decent plan, and if they have a good year, it will get you on a short list of coaching awards!
Overall grade as a DC, B-
Stec grades out at around a B, and a pretty good just not great, DC, which is exactly why he is heading off to a State school few people outside of Mo. have even heard of, instead of being considered for a job like HC of U of Fl in Gainseville.
Posted on 12/19/14 at 12:50 pm to Jagd Tiger
quote:
Probably the most disappointing aspect of Stec's D is the inability of his blitz packages to be effective, again lack of talent is a factor and there is some raw luck to calling it at the right time as well
I believe it is his inability to figure out how to stop a running game like Navy's or Auburn's when he has had some time to look at what they do and who has stopped them.
Posted on 12/19/14 at 1:07 pm to Jagd Tiger
I really like the staff he has put together at MOState. Lot of good young coaches blended with a couple FCS vets.
Posted on 12/19/14 at 1:36 pm to outlawjoseywales
quote:
I believe it is his inability to figure out how to stop a running game like Navy's or Auburn's when he has had some time to look at what they do and who has stopped them.
Yea I had thought about that, he doesn't always have an answer to every situation, but the rare power run option like Navy-Ga Tech is a special case that a lot of programs have trouble with, and yea the inability to adjust well,"live" , like in Atl was a sore point. To me a lifetime Linebacker coach should be able to scheme an effect blitz package,, I was actually trying to focus on what he did well rather than be hypercritical though..
This post was edited on 12/19/14 at 1:39 pm
Posted on 12/19/14 at 2:38 pm to Jagd Tiger
He's done well with less talent than much of our competition. Running the HUNH didn't do him any favors especially considering we typically have a lack of depth. His inability to make in-game adjustments for most of his career is baffling, although I don't know how heavy-handed Pinkel is. Overall I'd give him a B.
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News